SOUTH AFRICA AND THE EMPIRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1164, 27 June 1911, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA AND THE EMPIRE.

* RESULTS OF THE CONFERENCE AFRAID TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO THE IMPERIAL AIR, CONCRETE MEASURES NEEDED By TelceraDh—Press Association—OopyrleM (Rec. Juni' 26, 11.15 p.m.) Capo Town, Juno 26. The "Cape Times" says that while appreciating tho importance of the confidential discussion of foreign policy at the Imperial Conference, it discovers no signs of advance, but rather retrogression with regard to tho closer political and commercial union of tho Empire. The article concludes with a declaration that the Conference is being stifled in deference to tho fears of politicians who are nfraid to open the windows to tho Imperial air, lest domestic party interests should suffer. The "Capo Argus" hopes that the naval review will lead General Botha, tho Union Prime Minister, to realise South Africa's absolute dependence on Britain's maintenance of sea supremacy, and that ho will, therefore, revert to Mr. Hoff-. mover's policy of 1887. Tho Johannesburg "Star" states that tho practical outcome of the Conference, though disappointing in somo respects, i 9 more tangible than was expected a fortnight ago. It remains for tho statesmen of tho Empire to ensure that there will bo no reversion to the old policy of drift and apathy in 'Imperial affairs, and that British representatives shall abide by tho terms of tho pledges given, in order that tho overseas delegates attending the next Conference may be enabled to devote most of their attention to concrete measures instead of to tho discussion' of principles. In 1887 Mr. Hofmeyer, then leader of the Bond in Cape Colony, proposed a scheme for the establishment of an Imperial Zollverein or Customs Union,